A History of 'The Hay'
Hay is a true marcher town. being right on the border between England and Wales. This border is marked by the Dulais brook, which flows into the river Wye to the east of the town. The main part of the town is in the Welsh County of Powys. The town's name in Welsh is Y Gelli (The Grove).
Throughout its thousand-year history Hay has undergone many transformations. These photographs and prints covering at least one hundred and fifty years, gives an idea of life in this small market town in a past age.
Hay now attracts a wide variety of visitors drawn by its reputation as a beautiful town, a world-renowned centre for the book trade, and by the tranquility of its setting at the foot of the Black Mountains and in the picturesque Wye Valley.
A view of Hay as it is now. Photograph taken by Tim Pugh 2005, from the hills to the south.
Just added: "Old families of Hay".
See the latest pictures on the "Latest additions" page
Just acquired; An original sale leaflet of the particulars of The Cusop Estate in 1815
I have had several requests to create a section containing old family photographs. This is the initial result. If you have any pre 1920 family photographs WITH the full details (names, dates etc.) they will be on the "Old familes" page.
The photographs and pictures are intended to record the characters, buildings and events of a former way of life and provide a facinating glimpse of Hay in years gone by.
All the old photographs and prints in this site are from my later collection which has emerged since the publication of "Old Hay" in pictures and prints published in 2003*. These are all the latest additions to the collection and will be added to as more become available.
*The original book has been reprinted and is available at Pemberton Books, High Town Hay .
If you know any names of people appearing on these old photographs or dates, or any other details I will be most grateful. Please email me here . If you would like to see your old photographs published on this site, again please email me.
I must thank all those who have loaned or given me the original prints in order that they can be scanned, corrected and sometimes repaired so that you and I can enjoy these glimpses into the past.
There are loads of old photographs within these pages. They are not in any chronological order. Just enjoy.
Please note: Any unauthorised copying will constitute an infringement of copyright.
I have added several more pages. One is for you to dowload via Adobe "Acrobat" any old documents which are in the collection or will come to light in the future. I have started this page with a downloadable selection from my own edition of Pigot's Directory from 1830 concerning "Hay, Glasbury and Neighbourhood".